At school it was different. It was where I had the freedom to socialize with teachers and friends, and submerse myself in things that stimulated and inspired me. School was my getaway, my safe spot, something that I could count on. During middle school, I began to be affected by the challenges of my home life and have difficulty in school. During this time I wrote a lot, and became fascinated with the idea of working with people in my community. I went from 6th grade to a large public school, where the social stress affected me so much that I dropped out of 7th grade my last week of school. After that I found my way to the Network Charter School, where I met people who supported the things I had to say, and who listened and encouraged me to speak out. I became part of a youth action group, YEPSA, that worked to …show more content…
School, work, and home, were all stable places for me as I slowly regained peace of mind. During my junior year I lived with my mother for a few months, until she kicked me out. This sent me back to couch surfing before I saved enough money to get my own place with a roommate. It was the 8th time I had moved since I was a freshman. I quickly got a second job as a swim instructor. The supportive words from old veterans, parents, teachers, and children there made me feel like I had a positive impact on the world, the kind of work i am interested in, and the patience I demonstrated with the children and adults I worked with reminded me that I was a good